“I am sorry that I did not inform the governor first and went to public to tell that I have decided to withdraw my resignation,” said Justice Hegde. He said when the Governor returned to the City from his visit to Hassan District, he would meet him and explain to him the circumstances that led him to withdraw his resignation.

Justice Hegde made the remarks while talking to mediapersons after delivering the M S Krishnan memorial lecture to commemmorate 60 years of Indian constitution at Senate Hall of the Central College.

“On Saturday, I could not meet the Governor, as a large number of journalists were standing in front of my house. Sunday is an official holiday and also, the Governor is not in the City so, I could not meet him and tell him about my decision. After he returns I will meet him and beg his pardon,” said Justice Hegde.

Some people joined the interaction between the Lokayukta and the media persons, and wanted to know if he withdrew his resignation, heeding to the plea of a man who was the accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case. “You are free to draw your conclusions,” Justice Hegde told them and left the spot. Speaking at the M S Krishnan memorial lecture, the Lokayukta said the power of transferring officers should not be vested with politicians but with the bureaucrats, as politicians used transfers to punish officials.

He referred to  the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report which said that in the year 2007-08 Rs 51,000 crore, meant for eight central government schemes went unaccounted for. Of the eight schemes, four inlcuded the mid-day meal scheme, integrated child development programme, water supply scheme and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana.

He also pointed out that there were criminal cases registered against 150 MLA last year while 412 MLAs were found out to be having criminal records.

Former vice chancellor of Mangalore University Sheik Ali said Muslims in India are very backward , he lamented.